In a surprising move, president-elect Donald Trump announced late Monday that he will travel to Paris this weekend to attend the reopening celebration of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral. The trip will mark Trump’s first overseas journey since winning the presidential election last month.
Sources close to the transition team confirmed that Trump will join around 50 other heads of state and dignitaries for the momentous event on Saturday, which comes more than five years after a devastating fire nearly destroyed the beloved 12th century landmark in the heart of Paris. French President Emmanuel Macron, who has overseen the ambitious restoration project, will host the high-profile guests.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump called it “an honor” to attend the cathedral’s reopening, praising Macron for “ensuring that Notre Dame has been restored to its full level of glory, and even more so.” He added, “It will be a very special day for all!”
From Ashes to Renewal
The world watched in horror on April 15, 2019 as flames engulfed Notre Dame’s roof and iconic spire, which dramatically collapsed as the fire raged for hours. While firefighters managed to save the main stone structure and religious relics, the blaze caused severe damage throughout the medieval Gothic masterpiece.
In the aftermath, Macron vowed to rebuild Notre Dame within five years, launching an international fundraising campaign. Over €800 million was ultimately raised to support what would become a painstaking renovation utilizing both traditional craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology.
“Throughout our history, we have built towns, ports, churches. Many have been burnt due to revolutions, wars, due to mankind’s mistakes. Each time, we have rebuilt them. The fire at Notre Dame reminds us that our history never stops and we will always have challenges to overcome.”
– Emmanuel Macron, Address to the Nation, April 16, 2019
Thousands of architects, artisans, and specialists worked tirelessly to restore Notre Dame’s glory while incorporating modern safety standards and visitor enhancements. The roof’s oak timbers were carefully recreated using medieval techniques, while the spire was reborn in gleaming lead.
A Reopening Spectacle
This weekend’s reopening festivities are set to be an elaborate multi-day affair reflecting Notre Dame’s immense spiritual, historical, and cultural significance. On Saturday afternoon, Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich will preside over a reopening service, ceremoniously unshuttering the cathedral’s massive wooden doors to the world once again.
That evening, a glittering gala will feature acclaimed musicians from around the globe, including opera singers Pretty Yende and Julie Fuchs, Chinese pianist Lang Lang, and cellist Yo-Yo Ma. The eclectic lineup is meant to represent Notre Dame’s universal appeal and power to unite humanity.
Macron will address his fellow leaders and the world during the Saturday events, which will have heightened security across the Île de la Cité. Around 40,000 spectators are expected to gather at viewing areas along the Seine to witness the celebrations.
On Sunday, Archbishop Ulrich will lead an inaugural Mass to bless the cathedral’s restored altar, marking Notre Dame’s long-awaited return as the beating spiritual heart of France – and a symbol of resilience in a turbulent world.
Rekindle a Connection
For Trump, who had an uneven relationship with Macron during his tenure, the trip provides an early opportunity to bolster his global stature as president-elect and rekindle a strategic partnership for the United States.
As the fire raged in 2019, the then-president expressed his sympathies and remarkably suggested “flying water tankers” could help extinguish the flames, prompting French authorities to diplomatically respond that all possible techniques were already in use. Trump later spoke with Macron and Pope Francis, offering condolences and U.S. renovation expertise if needed.
“France is the oldest ally of the United States, and we remember with grateful hearts the tolling of Notre Dame’s bells on September 12, 2001, in solemn recognition of the tragic September 11th attacks on American soil. We also thank the French firefighters and those who put their lives at risk to save this irreplaceable symbol of Western civilization. Vive la France!”
– Statement from White House Press Secretary, April 16, 2019
Though Macron skillfully forged a personal bond with Trump early on, built largely on flattery, their relationship ultimately soured over policy clashes, including Trump’s skepticism of NATO and the Paris climate accord. With Trump’s return to power, European allies will be closely watching whether he takes a more conventionally supportive view of the Western alliance.
First Stop, Paris
Beyond the pomp and symbolism, Trump’s trip to Paris may portend a more internationally engaged approach compared to his first chaotic transition. In 2016, Trump mostly eschewed foreign travel and contact with world leaders, focused instead on forming his government and savoring political victory at home.
While specific bilateral meetings have not been announced, the Notre Dame events will provide Trump the chance to converse with dozens of his counterparts in a more informal setting ahead of assuming office. Observers will watch keenly to see whether Trump, known for his unscripted style, stays on message in Paris or reverts to the combative rhetoric that often strained relations during his presidency.
One looming question will be how Trump interacts with Macron and addresses European concerns over continued robust U.S. support for Ukraine in pushing back against Russia’s invasion, now in its tenth month. Trump has expressed skepticism over the scope of U.S. involvement, even as bipartisan support for Kyiv remains strong.
Trump will likely return to a hero’s welcome back home, as many supporters view his election and unapologetic “America First” worldview as repudiation of President Biden’s traditionally minded internationalism. The president-elect has promised a “fresh start” in global affairs but released few specifics to date.
For a weekend at least, Trump will bask in the limelight as the world’s attention focuses on Paris and the stirring rebirth of Notre Dame. How he leverages the moment, and his own political redemption narrative, will be closely watched from capitals worldwide, offering an early glimpse into how a second Trump administration may seek to reshape America’s place in the world.
